Domain Structure and Magnetization Reversal Micromechanisms in Quasi-Two-Dimensional Exchange-Biased Nanomagnetics

The domain structure and magnetization reversal mechanisms are studied in quasi-two-dimensional exchange-biased NiFe/FeMn and NiFe/NiO nanomagnetics, using a complex method of magnetooptical indicator films and acoustic emission. The presence of the axial dispersion of unidirectional anisotropy in grains of the antiferromagnetic layer is shown to determine the statistic distribution and chirality of spin springs near the interface. The acoustic emission signals caused by the excitation of elastic Lamb waves upon the magnetization reversal of NiFe/NiO heterostructure are found. The coercive force of these systems is due to irreversible processes to overcome potential barriers that are induced by the formation of spin springs with different chirality, localized in the antiferromagnetic near the ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic boundary.